Gunshots fired during arrest attempt in Beaufort

The Star

4 days ago

KOTA KINABALU: Gunshots were fired, sparking a 10km chase when three suspected drug dealers tried to run over police officers during a raid in the Beaufort district.
The suspects, travelling in a single vehicle, refused to stop when police officers attempted to pull them over after intercepting their car along Jalan Membakut around 4.15AM on Friday (July 4).
Beaufort OCPD Supt. Wong Leong Meng stated that during the raid, known as Ops Gempur, the officers shouted 'police' at the suspects, instructing them to exit the vehicle. However, the driver accelerated forward, nearly hitting the officers.
In response, the police were compelled to fire several shots at the car's front tyres to protect themselves.
A chase ensued, ultimately concluding when the suspects' vehicle was intercepted once again near Kampung Lumat, approximately 10km away. The suspects exited the car and attempted to flee into a nearby bushy area, resulting in the arrest of two individuals. One suspect managed to escape.
The two apprehended suspects, aged 18 and 29, were found in possession of a total of 51.28g of syabu (methamphetamine), valued at RM3,800. The drugs were discovered in the pocket of one suspect's pants. Both individuals were taken to the police station to aid in the investigation, and the drugs, vehicle and cell phones were confiscated.
One of the suspects had four previous drug-related convictions, while the teenager had a clean record. Both are being detained under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
Supt Wong mentioned that a manhunt had been launched to locate the escaped suspect and called on the public to assist the police by providing any information that could aid in capturing the suspect and solving this case.